Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Massachusetts House Bill H4796

Introduced
7/23/25  
Refer
7/23/25  
Refer
11/24/25  

Caption

Relative to organ transplant vehicles

Impact

The bill is expected to enhance the efficiency of organ transportation, which is crucial for timely and effective organ transplant procedures. By ensuring that these vehicles are regulated and recognized as emergency vehicles, the bill aims to improve response times and operational readiness of organ procurement organizations. Additionally, it empowers the department to create specific regulations concerning safety, training, and operational standards that must be adhered to by these organizations and their drivers. This regulatory framework is poised to enhance public health outcomes by supporting better logistics in organ recovery and transplantation.

Summary

House Bill 4796, titled 'An Act relative to organ transplant vehicles', proposes significant changes to the legal framework surrounding vehicles used for transporting human organs. This legislation aims to define the terms associated with organ procurement and to establish the regulatory requirements for these specialized vehicles. Specifically, it mandates that all organ transplant vehicles must be registered with the relevant department and establishes them as emergency vehicles when they are in operation transporting organs or medical personnel. This recognition as emergency vehicles is critical as it allows for expedited transport during organ recovery and transplantation processes.

Contention

While the bill appears to have positive intentions regarding public health, it may be met with scrutiny regarding the adequacy of the established regulations and whether they sufficiently address the complexities involved in organ transportation. There might be concerns about the implications for existing emergency vehicle laws and how this new designation interacts with them. Furthermore, stakeholders such as healthcare providers and organ donation organizations may debate the feasibility of the registration and operational standards imposed by the bill, focusing on whether they will create unnecessary burdens or enhance operational capabilities.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

MA SB672

Prohibiting knowingly covering organ transplantation and related care under health insurance policies and the Medical Assistance program if the organ is transplanted in or originates from a country known to have participated in forced organ harvesting. (FE)

MA AB674

Prohibiting knowingly covering organ transplantation and related care under health insurance policies and the Medical Assistance program if the organ is transplanted in or originates from a country known to have participated in forced organ harvesting. (FE)

MA SB1261

Modifies provisions relating to organ transplant procedures

MA SB471

Modifies provisions relating to organ transplant procedures

MA HB1228

Provide a stipend to certain members of the National Guard who donate an organ for the purpose of transplantation to another individual.

MA HB2114

Block Organ Transplant Purchases from China Act of 2025

MA LD1055

An Act to Prohibit Discrimination in Access to Anatomical Donations and Organ Transplants

MA SB3105

ISLET Act Increase Support for Life-saving Endocrine Transplantation Act

MA HB8018

ISLET Act Increase Support for Life-saving Endocrine Transplantation Act

MA HB685

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding sections numbered 32.1-127.1:06 and 38.2-3407.15:9, relating to genetic sequencing; organ transplants; use of foreign genetic sequencing or genetic sequencer operational and research software; foreign storage of genetic sequencing data; health insurance coverage for certain foreign organ transplants; civil penalty.

Similar Bills

AZ HB2109

Forced organ harvesting; insurance; prohibition

TX HB4076

Relating to prohibiting organ transplant recipient discrimination on the basis of vaccination status.

US HB2114

Block Organ Transplant Purchases from China Act of 2025

NJ SR54

Urges U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to reconsider implementation of new rules concerning organ procurement organizations.

ME LD1055

An Act to Prohibit Discrimination in Access to Anatomical Donations and Organ Transplants

NJ AR143

Urges U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to reconsider implementation of new rules concerning organ procurement organizations.

IL SB0087

ANATOMICAL DONATION

NJ A4841

Requires SHBP, SEHBP, and NJ FamilyCare to cover kidney disease education services; Requires DOH to develop policies and procedures regarding kidney disease education services.